Apparatus for manufacturing pants and tights

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making pantie hoses or tights, which comprises taking two stocking - like articles, drawing the open ends of these articles onto two substantially parallel template devices each support device comprising two leaves, slitting each article lengthwise along an edge of its support device, moving the outer leaf of each support device into substantial alignment with its other leaf and thereby bringing together the edges of the two leaves of each device, and joining the cut edges of the two articles by a joint extending along the aligned edges of the leaves.

[ 1 June 13, 1972 United States Patent Hedegaard "f "6" um m m m m m m mmmmmm FI LMAHH, 7990 666667 n7n7Q n70 wmmwmw 0073979 323834 27 093 00053 0 233333 my w m G Am m N w "r I H S R r w .m d r C n m A. m F u U .m m n H M S m m m R w m mm m m6 T em mA U mm mm N AD Ru A RS n e T m m PN m m PA v AP i A 4 H M U U U 12/2 ...ll2/l21.12 ll2/l2l.ll

112/121 11 ......2/240 UX ....l l2/262 X Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill [22] Filed: Nov. 12,1969

[21] Appl.No.: 875,628

ABSTRACT Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 12, 1968 Great Britain.....................

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making pantie hoses or tights, which comprises taking two .53,7l7/68 stocking like articles, drawing the open ends of these articles onto two substantially parallel template devices each support device comprising two leaves, slitting each article lengthwise along an edge of its support device, moving the outer leaf of each support device into substantial alignment with its other leaf and thereby bringing togetherthe edges of the two leaves 20H 2 I 1 22 n 1mm al 3H2 5 1 l L l v .1. u I n. 1 W mu2 1 m mmh e mm L mt o w d td UmF 1.1.] 2 8 555 [ll ll2/l2l.29, 203, 262; 2/224, 240, 243; 83/175,

41 1; 33/174 of each device, and joining the cut edges of the two articles by a joint extending along the aligned edges of the leaves.

References Cited UNITEDSTATESPATENTS 4/1950 23 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures hml 2 I? PATENTEnJuu 13 I972 SHEET 10F 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARI-MS HEDEGRAR D ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUM a an 3. 669 O47 sum 2 or 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIMS HEDEGAARD BY 4W' ,W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUH 13 I972 3,669,047

' swam 30F 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIHS HEDEG'RARO BY M/WIMQLM ATTORNEYS SHEET 0F 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIus HEDEGAARB BY p/mbf v M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJIJM 1a 1972 kwx kg), m l

PATENTEDJuu 13 I972 SHEET 5 OF 9 INVENTOR HEDEGAAR o ARA/E MARIus ATTORNEYS BY AMIWQ/ Mu PATENTEDJUM 13 I922 SHEET 8 8F 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIMS HEDEGAARI) ATTORNEYS FATENTEDJUH13 I972 3,669 O47 SHEET 7 OF 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIMS HEDEGAARI) ATTORNEY5 PATENTEDJUN 1 3 I972 SHEET 8 [IF 9 INVENTOR ARNE MARIMS HEDEGAAI? u a 7, W M/ q M ATTORNEY5 PATENTEDJUM 1 3 1972 SHEET 9 OF 9 INVENTOR ARNET /\AARIHS HEDE (,AARI) 1 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PANTS AND TIGHTS The present invention relates to a method of making pant like structures.

More specifically the invention is concerned with joining a pair of tubular open ended members of stretchable material together to form a pair of pants or tights.

Still more specifically the invention is concerned with the manufacture of socalled pantihoses.

While in the following the invention will be described with reference to production of pantihoses as a specific example, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the production of this article but that the method and machinery can be used in connection with production of other articles of stretchable material where similar problems prevail.

In the production of pantihoses a manual operation only has been used prior to this invention. The procedure comprises the steps of first slotting stocking-like articles from their open end along a part of their length and thereafter stretching, the slotted edges of a pair of such stocking like articles while running them through a sewing machine.

Especially the combined holding, stretching and sewing operation require a considerable training and skill.

It is a purpose of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for carrying out the method which substantially reduces the manual operations and lends itself to automation.

his a further purpose of the invention to provide a method for the purpose specified in which a pair of support members is used, and the only manual steps of the method are to draw the articles on the support members and remove the completed article.

The method comprises the steps of taking a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end, slitting both said tubular members along a part of their length from the open ends thereof to provide edges which extend from said open ends, spreading out the slit edges and providing a substantially continuous joint along the entire lengths of the slit edges between the open ends of the tubular members.

In carrying out the method the joining operation is completely automatic whereby the operator is released from the strain and stress of the spreading out and joining operation whereby also muscle fatigue is avoided.

The simple procedure of drawing the articles onto the support members does not require any skilled operator, whereby the machine canbe handled by'less skilled labor which is more available and requires substantially less training.

The apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention is designed to carry out the slitting and joining through a predetermined cycle, By avoiding manual control, especially of the joining operation, the production will be completely regular, only determined by the cycle of the apparatus.

The time required for drawing the articles on the support members and also removing the completed articles is so much less than the cycle of the apparatus that one operator is able to handle two apparatusses whereby the production can be substantially increased.

The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the method comprising in combination: two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration, means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread out position substantially in alignment with each other, means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined path of said material, control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative, means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article stretching position, and means for joining the peripheral portions of said stretchable material along a substantially continuous joint. 5 a

The invention will be further described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of workpieces supported on support members illustrating one stage of the process,

FIG. 2 is a similar view illustrating a second stage of the process,

FIG. 3 is a similar view illustrating a third stage of the process, 7

FIG. 4 is a similar view illustrating a fourth stage of the process,

FIG. 5 is a similar view illustrating a fifth stage of the process,

FIG. 6 is a similar view illustrating a sixth stage of the process, 7

FIG. 7 is a similar view illustrating a seventh stage of the process,

FIG. 8 is a similar view illustrating an eigth stage of the process,

FIG. 9 is a general perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method in one embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a general perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method in another embodiment,

FIG. .11 17 are perspective views of the essential parts of the machine of FIG. 10 illustrating similar stages of the process as in FIGS.'1 7, f

FIGS. 18 and 19 are details of the machine of FIG. 10 illustrating a device for holding cut edges of the stockings during the joining operation in an inoperative and an operative position, respectively. l

In the drawing reference numerals 10 and 12 designate a pair of tubular open ended members of stretchable material hereafter. referred to asv stockings adapted to be joined together along predetermined zones at their upper ends to form a pair of tights. I

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 the basic steps of the method are as follows:

The open upper ends of the stockings are positioned each on one a pair of support members-A and B in spaced relationship as shown in FIG. 1 in such a manner that the open ends are spread out on the support members.

The hanging portions of the stockings are moved out of the way as indicated on a stacking device Porby sucking action into a pipe (not shown).

The support members A and B are thereafter brought together with the sides of the stockings which face each other in surface to surface relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

In this position the stockings are slotted or slit along the part of their length which are supported on the support member to provide elongated slots 14 and 16 as shown inFIG. 3.

After the slotting or slitting the slotted or slit ends of the stockings are opened to spread out the material and to bring the two surfaces of the stockings which were facing in opposite direction into face to face relationship with the cut edges spread out and following a continuous extended zone. This is achieved by opening the support members by swinging the exterior members 2 0 and 26 thereof down as shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5.

Thereafter the edges along the slots or slits are raised so that they extend beyond the periphery of the templates and are brought into face to face relationship and joined along a zone 18, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, preferablyby means of a sewing operation.

When thereafter the support members are moved away from each other as shown in FIG. 7, the process is completed and the finished pantihose can be removed whereafter the support members are folded and moved away from each other as shown in FIG. 8.

In order to carry out this process, the apparatus comprises the support structure in which the two pairs A and B of support members have members 20, 22 and 24, 26 which are foldable upon each other to be able to receive the ends of each of the stockings and are operable upon completion of the slotting operation of FIG. 3 to be opened by swinging the portions 20 and 26 about hinges 28 and 30 from the position shown in FIG. 3 through the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5 and thereby to spread out the cut edges as described.

The apparatus further comprises means C (FIG. 3) for slotting or slitting the stocking along the zones 14 and 16 while supported on the folded support members.

The slotting or slitting means may be in the form of rotating cutting discs which are movable in a path along the edges of the support members, or stationary cutting members may be provided with the support members being movable relatively to the cutting members.

In order to keep the parts of the stockings which are facing away from each other in position on the support members when the cut edges are spread out during the opening of the support members from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position to the position shown in FIG. 5, the edges of the support members are provided with suitable holding means, e. g. a frictional material to which the edges of the stockings will adhere but which will not damage the stockings or holding members to be described in the following.

In order to position the stockings correctly on the support members positioning means such as leaf springs E (FIGS. 1-3) are provided on the support portions 20 and 26 under which are drawn the edges of the open ends of the stockings.

In order to raise the slit edges of the stocking material and bring the edge zones together for the purpose of carrying out the joining operation, compressed air may be used passing out through jets 36 at the periphery of the support members, see FIG. 9.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 9 the support members are of quartercircular configuration when closed or folded and of semicircular configuration when opened.

This has the advantage that a stationary cutting member can be used and the slotting or slitting operation performed merely by turning the closed support members 90 about the center of the circle.

Also the joining operation can be carried out by means of a stationary member such as a sewing machine SM (FIG. 9) by turning the opened support members 180 about the center of the circle.

As will be appreciated the method lends itself to substantial automation and the only manual operation necessary is to place the ends of the stockings on the support members.

To this purpose control means are provided in the apparatus for carrying out the different functions. The control means are in the embodiments illustrated in the form of hydraulic or penumatic cylinders to be identified in the following, and in addition a plurality of sensing devices such as micro switches are provided on the machine to sense the positions of the different parts and thereby control the sequence of operations This part of the apparatus does not form part of the present invention, however, the construction of such control systems or sequence systems is today so well known in the art that it is not considered necessary to describe them since as the following examples of programming will be sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to construct the sequencing system.

The support for the hanging ends of the stockings is in the form of an elongated member which is reciprocable by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder P and can be moved from an operative supporting position shown in FIG. 1 to an inoperative released position shown in FIG. 7.

The support structure B is stationary and the template like mounting structure A is movable, controlled by a cylinder M(FIGS. 2, 7 and 9).

The cutting member C (FIGS. 3 and 9) is moveable between an inoperative retracted position and a projecting operative position controlled by means of a cylinder S.

The cutting is achieved by turning the template structure in the position shown in FIG. 3 forwards and backwards in the direction of the arrows indicated in FIG. 3. A reciprocable rack T is in engagement with a pinion on a rotable shaft and the rack is reciprocated by a cylinder R. I

The opening and closing of the support members is controlled by turning a pair of shafts 34 (FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 9) by drive means such as chain drives 32 (FIGS. 4, 8 and 9) controlled by means of a cylinder D as shown in FIG. 4.

The basic process can be programmed for automation by means of components described herein with the program substantially being as follows:

a. Activating the support P for the hanging of the stockings (or alternatively sucking the hanging ends of the stockings into a pipeline).

b. Bringing the folded support members together to the position shown in FIG. 2.

c. Performing the slotting as shown in 'FIG. 3.

d. Opening the support members as shown in FIG. 4.

e. Actuating the edge raising means (jets 36).

f. Carrying out the joining (sewing operation).

g. Moving the support members away from each other to the position shown in FIG. 7, and removing the finished article.

h. Closing the support members as shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9 the various parts of the machine are referred to by the same reference numerals as in the schematic FIGS. 1 8.

The sewing machine SM is mounted on a reciprocable table 50 which is moved from a retracted inoperative position to an operative position by means of a cylinder F.

In connection with the sewing machine a pair of driving rollers G are provided which are actuated to be clamped against the opposite sides of the opened support members to thereby cause the movements of the support members through an angle of during the sewing operation. I-I designates the sewing machine needle and I is a trimming knife which trims the edges of the material prior to the sewing. K is a thread cutting guillotine.

The driving rollers G may be provided with peripheral recesses for engaging with a projection on the exterior surfaces of the support members. These projections may be in the form of half ball-like projections or the like which can engage with the similarly shaped recesses on the driving rollers to provide for a safe driving synchronized with the sewing operation.

The material trimmed off can be removed by suction through a duct 40.

With the additions mentioned hereinabove a few further operations will have to be programmed as follows:

Actuating the cutting device C.

Starting the sewing machine SM.

Forwarding the sewing SM machine to operative position.

Closing the driving rollers G.

Starting the sewing machine SM.

Actuating the trimming device I.

Actuating the removal device 40 for trimmed off mate-rial.

Making the driving rollers G, inoperative.

Returning the support members (by means of device T, R).

Rendering the sewing machine inoperative.

Retracting the sewing machine.

Making the trimmer I inoperative.

Making the trim remover 40 inoperative.

The embodiments of FIGS. 10 19 differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 9 thereby, that a different type of sewing machine is used, i.e. an overlock machine in connection with which for structural reasons, it is necessary to place the support members in horizontal planes. In addition the templates are larger. While in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 9 the support members are substantially quartercircular when folded and semicircular when not, support members of FIGS. 10 19 have an extended periphery so that they are nearly semicircular when folded and form nearly a complete circle when opened.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 19 the parts previously described are referred to with the same reference characters as in the first embodiment.

The support structure B is stationarily mounted on a bracket 52 on a vertical shaft 54 which extends between the ends of a pair of horizontal arms 56 and 58. The support structure A is supported on a bracket 60 firmly secured on a sleeve 62 which is guided lengthwise on a grooved portion 64 of the shaft 54 so that when the support structures are brought together, the support structure A is prevented from turning relatively to the support structure B. l

The structure which comprises the arms 56 and 58 and the shaft 54 isswingingly supported in a crank shaft like manner on a pair of vertical shafts 66 and 68 in axial alignment with the geometrical axis 70 through the centers of the circles which define the periphery of the support structures so as to ensure that the edges of the stocking like articles during the cutting as wellas the joining operation are moved along a circular path.

The'turning of the support structure is eflectuated by means of a suitable drive such as a chain drive 72 in engagement with a pinion 74 on the shaft 68 controlled by a pair of cylinders D and'D As in the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 9 the sewing machine SM is mounted on a reciprocable table 50 which is movable between a retracted inoperative position and a projecting operative position.

The cutting device C as in the other embodiment is in the form of a pair of rotating circular knives mounted on an arm 76 (FIGS. and 11) which is swingingly mounted on a spindle 80 and can be swung by the reciprocation of a toothed rack 78. The cutting knives are driven by means of a belt 82 which extends between a pair of pulleys 84 and 86 respectively. As it will be understood the cutting device can thereby be moved from a retracted inoperative position to a projecting operative position.

While in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 9 the means for keeping the stretchable material in position relatively to the periphery of the support members was in the form of strips 42 of suitable material such as rubber or foam of synthetic resin with a physical property which enables it to adhere to the stocking material, the edge retaining means in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 19 as clearly shown in FIG. 18 and 19, is in the form of arcuate members which are concentric with the support member portions and at their periphery provided with a plurality of tiny projections or teeth operable to engage and safely hold the material in position without causing it damage.

The holding members 90 are normally kept in a retracted inoperative position by means of springs 94 as shown in FIG. 18 but can be moved to a projecting operative position in FIG. 19 by activating a cylinder 96.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 19 the ends of the stockingswhich are not drawnon thesupport members are kept out of the way by being sucked into a duct 98. In contrast to the jets 36 of FIG. 9, the apparatus of FIGS. 10 17 is provided with a suction device 102 by means of which the edges of the stockings are sucked into an aperture 100.

The mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 10 is with reference to FIGS. 1 l 17 as follows:

The initial position of the support members and all the parts are as shown in FIG. 10 with the members folded and apart.

The stockings are drawn on'the support member manually until they are in the correct position as determined by the positioning members E.

Hereafter the holding means 90 of FIGS. 18 and 19 are rendered efiective.

The folded support members are hereafter moved from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. 12 with the stocking material on the facing surfaces of the support members in surface to surface relationship.

Hereafter the cutting device Cis activated with the cutting knives C moved to the operative position whereafter the cutting is effectuated by turning the folded support members in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 13.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 9 the support members are in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 19 not brought back to the initial position after the cutting but are upon completion of the cutting opened as indicated in FIG. 14 so as to spread out the edges along the cut zones of the stockings.

During the opening of the support members the sewing machine table is moved from its retracted inoperative position to its projecting operative position and at the same time a thread cutting device which is a standard part of an overlock machine is rendered effective and cuts the thread and removes the same through a suction device so that the sewing machine is ready to start the joining operation.

The timing of the various movements is so that the support members are completely opened and conditioned for the sewing operation in the movement the sewing machine reaches its operative position which releases the turning of the support members in the opposite direction of that during which the cutting took place. The sewing operation is illustrated in FIG. 15.

Upon completion of the sewing the sewing machine is moved back to its inoperative position and the support members moved from their surface to surface relationship to their positions spaced from each other. Prior to this the edge holding members 90 of FIGS. 18 and 19 are released to their inoperative positions.

Thereafter the completed article is free to be removed as shown in FIG. 16. v

The final stage of the cycle is to fold the support members to condition them for receiving a new pair of stockings as indicated in FIG. 17.

As apparent from the foregoing description the only manual steps of the method are to draw the articles onto the support members and remove the completed article. The latter operation may be avoided to be made manually by. sucking the articles away upon release of the article from the support members.

The joining and sewing operation is. completely automatic whereby the operator is released from the strain and stress of the spreading out and sewing operation as previously, all muscle fatigue is avoided.

In addition the simple procedure of drawing the stockings on to the support members does not require any skilled sewing operator whereby themachine can be handled by less skilled labor which is more available and requires substantially less training.

The production will be completely regular, only determined by the cycle of the machine.

The time required for drawing the stockings on the support members and also removing the completed articles is so much less than the cycle of the machine that one operator is able to handle two machines whereby the production can be substantially increased. 1

It will also understood that it will be possible within the scope of the invention to.construct a machine as a duplex machine with two support devices which alternatively are moved into operative association with the same sewing machine or even to provide a turntable with a plurality of support devices which in sequence are brought into operative connection with a single sewing machine.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the apparatus shown and described hereinbefore.

The support members may be of any configuration other than having circular edges. By way of example it will be possible to provide the support members with linear edges and opening up the stockings by swinging the two parts relatively to each other in the same manner as a folded card is opened. Additionally, any other suitable sewing machine or machine for joining the edges as are known at present in the art may be used for the sewing machines SM illustrated herein.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination:

two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for supporting thereon the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration,

means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other,

means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined path of said material,

control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative,

means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position, and

means for joining the peripheral portions of said stretchable material along a substantially continuous joint.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the support portions are in the form of a pair of leaves hingedly connected along a substantially linear portion and having peripheral portions of substantially circular configuration to provide a substantially circular path of the periphery of the stretchable material.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having control means for moving the portions of the support structures between the article receiving position in spaced relationship relatively to each other to a position in surface-to-surface relationship of the articles positioned on the support structures.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which means is providing for turning the support devices about a geometrical axis through the center of their circular periphery.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with the support portions during their movement into and in their article spread-out position is in the form of frictional material with a physical property enabling it to adhere to the stretchable material.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with the support portions during their movement into and in their article spread-out position is in the form of means movable between a retracted inoperative position and a projecting operative position.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said last mentioned means are in the form of arcuate members of a peripheral configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the support portions having a plurality of tiny tooth-like peripheral projections and being movable between a retracted position inside the periphery of the support portions and a projecting position outside the periphery of the support portions.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the support devices are mounted for turning about a stationary shaft and the cutting device as well as the joining device is movable relatively to the periphery of the support devices between an inoperative retracted position and an operative projecting positron.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which only one of the portions of the support devices is movable through an angle of substantially 180. I

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 having means operable to render the cutting means effective during turning of the support devices in one direction in their article receiving position whercafter following the completion of the cutting, the portions of the support devices are moved to their article spread-out position whereafter the joining is efiectuated during turning of the support devices through a return movement.

11. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination: 7

two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for receiving the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions 'of substantially equal configuration, means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other, means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined path of said material, I I

control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative,

means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position,

means for keeping the slit edge zones of the stretchable article in a position extending beyond the periphery of the support devices, and

means for joining the peripheral portions of said stretchable material along a substantially continuous joint.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said means for keeping the edge zones extending is in the form of means providing an air stream.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said means is in the form of air jets.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said means is in the form of vacuum responsive means.

15. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination:

two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for receiving thereon the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration,

means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other, control means for moving said support portions between said two positions,

positioning means on each of said support devices for determining the position of the open ends of the stretchable articles relatively to at least one of the edges of said support devices in the article receiving positions thereof, means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined length of said support devices,

control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative,

means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantial peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position,

means operable to extend the slit edges beyond the periphery of the support devices in their article spreadout position, and

means for joining the peripheral extending portions of the stretchable articles substantially continuously.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the stretching of the material after the slitting is effectuated by means operable to move one of each of said support portions of each of said support devices through an angle of substantially 180.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim in which the support portions are in the form of a pair of leaves hingedly connected along a substantially linear portion and having peripheral portions of substantially circular configuration to provide a substantially circular path of the periphery of the stretchable material during the cutting as well as during the joining operation.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 having control means for moving the support leaves in their article receiving position between a position in spaced relationship to a position in surface-to-surface relationship of the stretchable material received thereon.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which control means is provided for turning the support leaves about a geometrical axis through the center of their circular periphery.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantiallyiperipheral alignment with the support portions is in the form of arcuate members of a peripheral circular configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the support portions having a plurality of tiny tooth-like peripheral projections and being movable between a retracted position inside the periphery of the support portions and a projecting position outside the periphery of the support portions.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which means is provided for keeping the edge zones of the stretchable article in a position extending beyond the periphery of the support devices during the joining operation.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which said means is in the form of means providing an air stream providing a suction action.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which control means is provided operable to render the cutting means effective during turning of the support devices in one direction and upon completion of the cutting to render the cutting means ineffective and thereafter move the support leaves to their article stretching position and effectuate the joining operation during turning of the support devices through a return movement. 

1. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination: two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for supporting thereon the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration, means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other, means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined path of said material, control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative, means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position, and means for joining the peripheral portions of said stretchable material along a substantially continuous joint.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the support portions are in the form of a pair of leaves hingedly connected along a substantially linear portion and having peripheral portions of substantially circular configuration to provide a substantially circular path of the periphery of the stretchable material.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having control means for moving the portions of the support structures between the article receiving position in spaced relationship relatively to each other to a position in surface-to-surface relationship of the articles positioned on the support structures.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which means is providing for turning the support devices about a geometrical axis through the center of their circular periphery.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with the support portions during their movement into and in their article spread-out position is in the form of frictional material with a physical property enabling it to adhere to the stretchable material.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with the support portions during their movement into and in their article spread-out position is in the form of means movable between a retracted inoperative position and a projecting operative position.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said last mentioned means aRe in the form of arcuate members of a peripheral configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the support portions having a plurality of tiny tooth-like peripheral projections and being movable between a retracted position inside the periphery of the support portions and a projecting position outside the periphery of the support portions.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the support devices are mounted for turning about a stationary shaft and the cutting device as well as the joining device is movable relatively to the periphery of the support devices between an inoperative retracted position and an operative projecting position.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which only one of the portions of the support devices is movable through an angle of substantially 180* .
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 having means operable to render the cutting means effective during turning of the support devices in one direction in their article receiving position whereafter following the completion of the cutting, the portions of the support devices are moved to their article spread-out position whereafter the joining is effectuated during turning of the support devices through a return movement.
 11. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination: two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for receiving the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration, means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other, means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined path of said material, control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative, means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position, means for keeping the slit edge zones of the stretchable article in a position extending beyond the periphery of the support devices, and means for joining the peripheral portions of said stretchable material along a substantially continuous joint.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said means for keeping the edge zones extending is in the form of means providing an air stream.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said means is in the form of air jets.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said means is in the form of vacuum responsive means.
 15. Apparatus for producing a textile structure of a pair of tubular members of stretchable material having at least one open end comprising in combination: two support devices mounted in substantially parallel relationship for receiving thereon the pair of tubular members and each having two support portions of substantially equal configuration, means connecting said support portions along one edge thereof to enable said support portions to be moved relatively to each other between an article receiving position substantially folded upon each other and an article spread-out position substantially in alignment with each other, control means for moving said support portions between said two positions, positioning means on each of said support devices for determining the position of the open ends of the stretchable articles relatively to at least one of the edges of said support devices in the article receiving positions thereof, Means for cutting through said stretchable material when positioned on said support devices in the article receiving position thereof along a predetermined length of said support devices, control means for moving said support devices and said cutting means relatively to each other between a position in which said cutting means is inoperative and a position in which said cutting means is operative, means for keeping the cut edges of said stretchable material in substantial peripheral alignment with said support portions during the movement thereof into and in the article spread-out position, means operable to extend the slit edges beyond the periphery of the support devices in their article spread-out position, and means for joining the peripheral extending portions of the stretchable articles substantially continuously.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the stretching of the material after the slitting is effectuated by means operable to move one of each of said support portions of each of said support devices through an angle of substantially 180* .
 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the support portions are in the form of a pair of leaves hingedly connected along a substantially linear portion and having peripheral portions of substantially circular configuration to provide a substantially circular path of the periphery of the stretchable material during the cutting as well as during the joining operation.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 having control means for moving the support leaves in their article receiving position between a position in spaced relationship to a position in surface-to-surface relationship of the stretchable material received thereon.
 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which control means is provided for turning the support leaves about a geometrical axis through the center of their circular periphery.
 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which the means for keeping the cut edges of the stretchable material in substantially peripheral alignment with the support portions is in the form of arcuate members of a peripheral circular configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the support portions having a plurality of tiny tooth-like peripheral projections and being movable between a retracted position inside the periphery of the support portions and a projecting position outside the periphery of the support portions.
 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which means is provided for keeping the edge zones of the stretchable article in a position extending beyond the periphery of the support devices during the joining operation.
 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which said means is in the form of means providing an air stream providing a suction action.
 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which control means is provided operable to render the cutting means effective during turning of the support devices in one direction and upon completion of the cutting to render the cutting means ineffective and thereafter move the support leaves to their article stretching position and effectuate the joining operation during turning of the support devices through a return movement. 